2004 Nissan Sentra Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 7about this part
- Share
- 4%of 197 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 37,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 7 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2004 Nissan Sentra, 4% of the 197 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 37,000 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“I own a 2004 Nissan Sentra, only a few months after I purchased it brand new, I began experiencing problems with the engine. They have since put in a new transmission and just today the car broke down again, the transmission seems to have failed yet again.”
NHTSA complaint #10126359, filed 2005-06, 8,000 miles“Dt: several weeks before the accident the suspension felt weak. Right before the accident a large sound was heard and a bump was felt from under the car. The consumer tried to turn left but the car would only go straight and the consumer ran into some trees/ a barbed wire fence, and a ditch. The axle and disc broke.”
NHTSA complaint #10134792, filed 2005-10, 9,000 miles“In my 2004 Nissan Sentra se-r spec v with a 2.5l engine/manual transmission, at about 69k miles the car suddenly experienced unstable engine idling and significant power loss. First mechanic found loose metal pieces in the intake manifold area, along with spark plug one fouled. Metal pieces were removed and a new spark plug was installed. Car ran okay for a few weeks, the same symptoms occurred. Mechanic removed intake manifold and found two power valves and their screws obliterated and scattered throughout the compartment in dozens of loose pieces. …”
NHTSA complaint #10252021, filed 2008-12, 69,000 miles“The contact owns a 2004 Nissan Sentra. The contact stated while attempting to drive out of a parking space the vehicle would not shift into reverse gear. The contact was able to drive the vehicle to a local mechanic who stated the transmission needed to be replaced. The contact called the manufacturer regarding a recall and stated there were no recalls. The failure mileage was 90,000. Updated 08/24/11 the consumer stated she has been experiecing first gear issues for at least a year, until the reverse gear finally went out. Updated 06/13/12”
NHTSA complaint #10416945, filed 2011-08, 90,000 miles“The contact owns a 2004 Nissan Sentra. The contact stated that her vehicle would only drive forward, not in reverse. A few days following the failure, the vehicle would not move at all. She placed the gear in drive and the vehicle sounded as if it were in neutral. When she placed the gear in the l position, the vehicle would only move forward. The vehicle has been in the shop for approximately two months. The mechanic stated that she needed a new transmission. The contact stated that a two year old vehicle should not be experiencing transmission failure. …”
NHTSA complaint #10195458, filed 2007-07, 65,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10043950Apr 10, 2012Nissan: ecm replacement procedures with consult iii plus. Applies to all 2004 and later (does not apply to leaf/ev) vehicles.
- 10024689Apr 28, 2008Nissan; special automatic transmission fluid requirement. 2004 to current nissan vehicles.
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 4 | 13% |
| 2024 | 9 | 22% |
| 2023 | 2 | 10% |
| 2022 | 6 | 7% |
| 2021 | 4 | 3% |
| 2020 | 10 | 5% |
| 2019 | 54 | 24% |
| 2018 | 46 | 25% |
| 2017 | 76 | 33% |
| 2016 | 127 | 47% |
| 2015 | 173 | 49% |
| 2014 | 182 | 48% |
| 2013 | 311 | 49% |
| 2012 | 68 | 38% |
| 2011 | 18 | 13% |
| 2010 | 18 | 13% |
| 2009 | 3 | 5% |
| 2008 | 20 | 12% |
| 2007 | 17 | 11% |
| 2006 | 8 | 7% |
| 2005 | 10 | 6% |
| 2004 | 7 | 4% |
| 2003 | 9 | 5% |
| 2002 | 20 | 7% |
| 2001 | 9 | 4% |
| 2000 | 8 | 5% |
| 1999 | 4 | 7% |
| 1997 | 1 | 1% |
| 1996 | 11 | 8% |
| 1995 | 4 | 3% |
| 1994 | 5 | 5% |
| 1993 | 12 | 21% |
| 1992 | 11 | 18% |
| 1991 | 8 | 13% |
| 1990 | 3 | 8% |
| 1988 | 2 | 5% |
| 1987 | 6 | 17% |
| 1986 | 1 | 17% |
Other parts of the 2004 Nissan Sentra
59 complaintsFuel system
36 complaintsAir bags
32 complaintsElectrical system
28 complaintsEngine
26 complaintsBrakes
10 complaintsVehicle speed control
7 complaintsSteering
5 complaintsBody and structure
4 complaintsEquipment
3 complaintsLatches, locks and linkages
2 complaintsOther or unknown
2 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2004 Nissan Sentra
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology